William heckeet



(No Model.)

W. HEOKBRT.

MEANS POR SUPPORTING TRACTION SABLES 0N CURVES.

Patented May 26, 1885.

P L-IP 131. man or Wilzesses IhviTnn STaTns PATENT Ormea.

VILLIAM HEOKERT, OF YONKFRS, NEV YORK, ASSIGNOR TO G. HILTON SORIBNER, OF SAME PLACE.

MEANS FOR SUPPORTING TRACTION CABLES ON CURVES.

SlDECEICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 318,621, dated May 26,1885.

Application iilcd March 27, 1885.

To all whom. may concern:

Be it known that I, VTLLIAM Hnciinnr, of Yonkers, in the county of lVestchester and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Devices for Sup porting Traction-Gables while Passing Around Curves and rlurns; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specication.

Figure 1 represents one of my cabletube sections in which the cables are inclosed where the road runs ina direct line, and Fig. 2 is an end section of Fig. l, and the dotted lines at O' represent a vertical enlargement ofthe saine as used in my improved method oi' support ing cables around curves. Fig. 3 represents a plan view of a portion of my improvement for supporting` cables around curves, and Fig. 4. represents a side elevation of Fig. 3 with the tie F removed. Fig. 5 represents a vertical section through one of the cross'ties of onehalf of the road on said curve. Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of a modification of one of the pulleys on which the hinged blockchain N N N, &c., Fig. 3, is supported, showing the end of one of said links N and the cable Hz in relative positions. Figs. 7 and S are top and side views of said links.

Similar letters in the various figures represent like parts.

This invention relates to railroads in which the motive power is stationary and located at convenient points along the road and connected with an endless traction-cable or series of cableslocated either above or un der the ground, and to which the cars may be connected and operated by various grips well known and used for such purpose.

The object of my invention is the construction of substantial, practical, and economical means of supporting cables in the true arc of a circle or curve of any radius whatever con-A forming with the tracks of a road correctly laid, and obviating the rapid destruction of cables heretofore experienced by passing the cable around a series of small pulleys set in the are of a circle, the cable passing from the (No model.)

periphery of one pulley in direct line to that of the next pulley, thereby giving ashort bend to the cable as it passes each of said pulleys, thereby destroying the cable in a short time and consuming a large amount of power. The cable also moving around curvesin a series of straight lines prevents the cars from moving correctly and with ease over the road or curves or turns. In other places large wheels have been introduced,over which the cable passes. This latter is very expensive, and in many places impractical and impossible to secure the room required for such wheels.

In Fig. 3, H I-I represent a wire cable, and N N N N a chain formed of blocks of proper length and width,ha.fingtheiredgcs cut in the arc of a circle or `from a radius conforming to that of the road, the ends of said blocks being hinged together close to one side, as seen in Fig. 4, allowing said hinged joints t-o bend or move in one direction from a straight line only. Figs. 7 and S represent aside and edge view,and N, Fig. 6, an end viewot' said links, drawn on an enlarged scale, and showing one ot' the various shapes in which the separate links may be constructed from either rolled orl cast stock, making the chain light and sufficiently strong, H representing the cable and I), Fig. 6, the corresponding pulleys shown in Figs. 4, and 5, over which the chainNNN and cable H H pass, the pulleys P P being supported in a box tie or other frame, F, Figs. 3 and 5, revolving freely on studs I I', placed one above the other. The said blockchain N N moves in a horizontal plane, resting on the anges of the upper set of pulleys P P,which have their axes in a vertical line; thence over and under t-he pulleys D D, which have their axes in horizontal plane; thence over the lower set of pulleys P P to the place of beginning, the ends ot1 the chain being connected together, forming an endless chain. The cable H H, resting against the outer edge of the said chain on a flange or groove, passes along the upper set of pulleys, P P in the true arc of a circle; thence in a direct line over the pulleys of any of the cable roads as now constructed. All of the pulleys I? Pand l) D are held in proper position ou suitable bearings or in box-ties inclosed with IOO a lid or door, K, as shown in Fig. 5, adniit-k from direct line and having the sides or edges ting of ready access for oiling and repairing the various parts the spaces between each of said ties being inclosed with one of my improved cable-tube sections shown in Figs. 1 and 2, or by any other suitable means not shown or'describred.

l do not limit myself to any particular design or construction of the curved chain-links N N N, as they may be curved to suit any radius and jointed together in various Wellknown Ways, and the sides or edges shaped to receive a cable or belt supported by flanges or in a groove. Itrisalso evident that the pulleys P P,over which the chain movcs.may beV varied in construction to fit the chain-links; or they may be dispensed with entirely and a curved track placed between the end pnlleys, D D,0n which track the links may slide or run on rollers. I, however, prefer supporting the chain on pulleys as shown in the drawings.

Having described my invention,whatl claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. A chain formed of hinged curved links, with the joints working in but one direction of links curved to the arc of a circle and provided with flange or groove in which a cable L YYmay move, as and for purposes specified.

2. The hinged block-chain N N,With curved links formed to move over pulleys set in the arc of a circle,rotating in vertical or horizontal planes, andY provided with flange or groove in which a cable or cables may ride,`in cornbination with pulleys P P and DD,construct ed as and for the purposes specied.

3. The b oX-tie F, provided with pulleys P P, forV supporting chain N N and cable H, as and for the purposes specified.

4. A section of a movable guide to carry a cable or belt around a curve, consisting of a block or plate formed to asection ofsaid curve.

5. A movable guide for carrying cables or belts around curves, consisting of a number of curved sections hinged together, forming a continuous chain.

Witness my hand this 30th day of June, 1884.

WM. HECKERT.

Vitnesses:

JAMES S. FITCH, L. A. HECKERT. 

